Accepted!

Well, I got a lovely letter in the mail yesterday... the first paragraph read...

Dear Michelle

The Council of Central Queensland University has accepted the advice from the Dean of your Faculty that you have satisfied the requirements for the award of:

Bachelor of Communication with Distinction


Yay!! Officially I am now graduating. For those planning on coming - or who might be around at the time, it will be Mon March 12 2007 at 6:30pm. Not sure where though as yet - but I do know I will have to pay $60 to be there! Oh, how exciting is this!!!

I know it's been a fait accompli for a while now, but I really hadn't felt that excited... or, well... finished. I just wouldn't sink in properly. But if you can imagine, I'm doing the happy jig *inside* at the moment.

Other news... I've officially lost 9.3kg's so far - nudging the 10kg mark... soon, very soon. I will have to think of something good to do to celebrate the achievement - I intend to celebrate every 5kgs or so. Small steps on a long journey.

Allan came home last night FILTHY dirty. He'd gone to the Capricorn Caves for a school trip. I'd thought they would be doing the guided tour - nice and safe - but no, they were commando crawling, and slithering and all sorts of things around the caves. He loved it! His clothes... well, I'm glad I don't do the washing! He had to walk home from school yesterday as he got in later than normal, and his plans with his friend fell through. Luckily we're only a couple of blocks away.

But, on the way home he found a kitten stuck in the drain outside our house. He tried calling people to see what to do, but it doesn't seem that a lot of people are available after 5pm... so he used his caving skills to get the kitten out of the drain - so we have a cute, ginger tabby kitten here at the moment. Very cute. But I don't want to keep it... but maybe Mum will, if no-one claims him. He sure talks a lot!

OK, bye for now. Don't be good.

and now...

I'm not sure I've had the chance to tell you all about my latest discovery - MUSCLES!!!! Yep! The other day I was on the phone (Skype) and I was doing something and I looked down at my arm and thought... hmmm... that's weird... why is there that hollow area in my arm?

So, I touched it wondering what it could be, and all I could feel was a lump. I looked again, flexed a little, and realised what it was!!! I have bulging, gym going muscles!!!! I quickly dashed to the bedroom and stood in front of the mirror and had a good look - mainly to see if it was noticable enough to show everyone - to make sure they could see it.... and yes, very noticable!!

So, anyone that has come near me has had to admire the bulge on the correct side of my biceps - cause I'm very proud of them!

On the weekend I was a bit of scrapping frenzy. Not normally that motivated unless there's a cybercrop on somewhere - but I just wanted to create!!! I got 5 layouts completed!!! WOWSERS! Granted I had some parts 'prepared earlier' and they were fairly simple - but I still enjoyed myself and made a grand mess everywhere!

So, here are the final 3. I got to use up some of the Kindyglitz lettering I'd made up - which was kinda cool. I think I'm going to have to do a LOT more scrapping though - as I will be getting most of the Bohemiem (sp?) range in - and will need to make room for those.

Might even have to have a 'photo shoot' so I've got some new photos to match (how pathetic!)

I was asked today to do some projects up to create 'make it myself' sheets for Spotlight using Kindyglitz - and the new 3D Kindyglitz to help launch it in their stores.

Now, I generally don't get to Spotlight, and tend to spend my scrapbooking money with ... well, I DO get around, but I like the scrapbooking stores. BUT, I knew for this project that I would have to use products easily bought from Spotlight - so I tried to pick a time when I thought they wouldn't be too busy (school hours) and went in. I was so surprised at the little amount of raw chipboard they had! And the lack of most of my *favourite* types of things for scrapbooking. Made working out what to buy SO much harder - so I hope the project works out OK.

Allan is off to the school camp you have when you're not having a school camp - you know the sort - the one where they still stay home every night - but get to go on daily excursions.

Oh, and I forgot to mention - Happy Birthday Pappa Bear!!!

Night all!

Been creating

I scrapped today... with LOTS of PAINT! Very enjoyable. I love hand painting my own papers - it's like making an abstract artwork.

I hand painted some papers the other night, and today I got two layouts done using them. And if I must say so, I like them very much! Don't you just love Kerry's hat???


As promised here are my two layouts that I did with Ngaire. I did some tags too - but I have to finish those off yet. I really enjoyed these workshops, and I think it has helped me get back into my scrapbooking again.

A funny story for you about Ngaire's class. We were starting the layout about ourselves (which left quite a few people uncomfortable) and Ngaire starts talking about how, if we want, we can change things to suit our photos etc, not to stress about getting things exactly like hers.

She then went on to emphasize that there was one thing she was going to insist upon. That for the first layout we HAD to use the text she used on hers - Me, Myself and I - Perfect Just as I am. Ngaire said that she knew a lot of ladies would have a problem writing those words - but they HAD to do it - and she went on to explain why it was so important to her. It was quite nice - like an affirmation actually.

The layout was passed around the entire classroom for everyone to have a look at. It got to the second last person, who then asked if "PEFECT" should have had an "R" in it.... talk about a laugh! Poor Ngaire!!! But it was just so funny that she was "PEFECT" just as she was. I'd call that a Freudian slip... wouldn't you?




So, what's new? Had a delightful day today. The kids got up and cleaned their rooms while I slept in a little (not too much though) and I got up and pottered a little. Mum came over (as she does on a Saturday) and Allan went off to play a Yu-gi-oh tournament - 4 hours for $3 - well worth the money - and literally just around the corner, so he can walk there himself.

Emily and I went downstairs and scrapped together for a while and then Mum, Em, and I headed out to Demedios for a coffee and lunch (Char grilled Chicken - YUMMO - and ultra friendly to my diabetes). My Aunty Gail called at the last minute and joined us - so we had a really nice time. Emily then headed off (with a little help from me) to a birthday party.

Oh, I forgot to mention that while we were out having lunch I ducked into Chandlers next door and bought a Sony Walkman - this cute little flash drive looking thing - and an armband so I can wear it to the gym and tune into the TV's while doing cardio.

Anyway... I digress... Mum and Gail and I came home and sat around the table with a coffee and worked industriously on the WASJIG. AND I FINISHED IT!!! YAY!

What a truly pleasant day. I hope everyone else had a good one.

New day, new me

Well, today I changed programs at the Gym, and got a new instructor with it. She's SO much better!!! I can tell, because I can barely lift my arms as high as the keyboard without them turning to jelly!

I'm happy to say that I've nearly lost 9kg's!!! Pretty happy with that... only 1.3kgs of my next target weight. Got a lot more to go.. but baby steps, 5kgs at a time.

What else has been happening? Ummm... nothing too exciting, I don't think. Oh, wait, yes there is! I've been asked to be part of the Design Team for the Little Scrapbook Shop - I'm their new paint specialist, and photoshop teacher. I will basically be doing classes each week - one on using paint, one on using photoshop. Later in the new year, I'll probably start doing some photography ones too. Should be interesting!

I spent last night painting up some paper for myself in anticipation of next week's lesson - or a future project... not sure which yet. So much to tell, I've got to pace myself!!!!

Now, I'm looking for a third person to tell me their pregnant. It normally happens in threes, and two friends have recently told me they are.... so there must be someone out there not telling yet... anyone?

OK... off to work.... ;)

Losing it!

Hi all

I went to see my diabetes educator yesterday - and yep, I'm definitely losing it! 6kgs in the 5 weeks since I saw her last - 5cm around the waist - and a whole point off my BMI thingy!!! She was very happy with my progress, and doesn't think I'll need medication, which is terrific!

Looking forward to turning the corner with my levels too - their definitely going down - now to keep it going!

I'll be starting a new gym routine on Thursday - more huff and puff - less weights - which is what she recommended - so we'll see. I have been feeling off the past couple of days - kinda like morning sickness - but without the whole PREGNANCY thing! Hopefully I'll be over it sooner rather than later!

Still need to take pics of my Ngaire projects - been in bed most of the past couple of days though. Hopefully soon!

Be good.

Back again

Hi all

Well, it's been a while - but not as long as it might seem - you see, I DID come back and write up, with LOTS of piccys... but Blogger seemed to think I was over indulgent with the pics... and it decided to wipe them all.... and then, in an attempt to get them back, I also lost long, juicy message I'd just written.

Grr!


But anyway, here I am! There's a bit of news. No, I'm not pregnant! But a couple of friends are! We'll see how many more confess, because there's always a group of people I know that are pregnant at the same time!




Firstly, the fam and I had a really delightful longer weekend away at the Gold Coast last weekend as you can see from som of these piccys... a very nice time indeed!

This weekend I spent Saturday with the delightful Ngaire Bartlem ..... well, me, and a couple dozen of my closest friends... well, OK... I didn't know most of them... but it was still great to get out there and scrap for a while. I will share pics in another post.

And the other BIG news is that I got my final results for Uni!!! I got High Distinctions for both courses - only just - but I'll take what I can get! That means that I will graduate with a Grade Point Average of 6.882 (out of a maximum of 7)!!! This is a much, much better result than my first degree, where I would have barely managed a GPA of 4 (pass level). So, for all those 'mature aged' people out there, thinking about studying - it is much more rewarding later in life - when you know what you want to do, and are more settled, and determined to do it.

I've also been tentitively asked to tutor a couple of courses next year for Uni - Contemporary Photomedia (photography), and Desktop Publishing. I love tutoring Desktop Publishing - and I think the photography one will be a great opportunity to really start thinking about my camera again - you learn so much more when you teach something!

My students all did well this last term in a web design course I taught as well, and I was pretty impressed with some of the work they put out. It's nice to see that your teaching has an impact.

Oh, and I've lost about 7kg's so far. No rush - and with my scales, that figure can fluctuate 2kgs anyway - but I go back to the diabetes educator on Monday - so I'll have a more official result then with her big scales.

Well, that's all folks! Hope you are all perfectly wonderful, and if you aren't, I hope it's only temporary!!!!

A lucky daughter

Recently a couple of friends of mine have been a bit miserable because of family issues. I am such a lucky daughter to have the Mum I have! She's my best mate and we do so much together. I couldn't move town because I wouldn't want to be away from her. The support and confidence she gives me keeps me strong, and now that I've all grown up, I hope I keep her strong too.

Love you Mum!

Still going

Well, what a lovely weekend! What did I do? Bugger all of nothing - and LOVIN' IT!!!!

OK, well, I did do a couple of layouts for the Scrapbooking Top50 Cybercrop, and was going to do the Embellished Cybercrop as well, but ran out of steam... I've been way too tired lately. Feel I need a week off just to sleep... but I don't think that will even help.

So, here's what I did...
The first one is 'I wish I was a punk rocker' done with hand painted paper I painted with Derivan Students - just to use up some paints I'd had out for work. There's LOTS of Kindyglitz and Dimensional magic on there - unfortunately it's hard to photograph these!


These flowers were a plasticy foamy type one that I found at the the Warehouse - thought they were kinda funky - they definitely match the theme... lol!

The next one is a double spread I did with Allan and Emily. The whole challenge was to by simple - I think I achieved that. I'm thrilled at how this one came together, it looks very rich in real life.

I also completed quite a bit of a Wasjig... that's a backwards jigsaw - lots of fun. AND I finished reading 'As the Crow Flies' by Jeffrey Archer - very, very good read - but he's a great story teller. We watche 'Cars' and 'Over the Hedge' with the kids - preferred 'Cars' but they were both good.

Other news.... I've lost 6kg's!!! I've been to the gym a few times now as well - in fact, I'm just back from there. My chest muscles were SO sore after the last time, and my arms are like jelly again - my legs are definitely the stronger body part!

Oh, and I went shopping on Saturday morning - bought myself a heap of clothes..... wait for it.... a WHOLE SIZE smaller!!!!! YAY for me!!! Ok, nothing too exotic - there's not much point if I'm going to continue to lose weight, is there? Got myself a few pair of shorts (cheapies, but I need more for the gym, and summer in general). Also bought some boardies, and a tankini - that's a tank top/bikini - looks like a cut off pair of togs. Very good idea for the likes of me. What else... oh, some t-shirts. Like I said, nothing fancy.

We're going away next weekend to the Gold Coast!!!! Looking forward to it SOOOO much!!! Just time for us... nothing competing, no sharing, just family.

Talking of family, or nearly, my good friend told me the other day she's moving to France!!!! FRANCE!!!! I was pretty glum about it all, but then, I think it's a damn good excuse for us to save up to go overseas - I've never been overseas before!!!

OK... that's all for now... got work to do! Don't be good, be a little naughty!

Signed up!

Well, I've finally done it.... joined the gym that is!!!! I went with my sister (who's lost over 25kg's BTW) and got all signed up. The fellow I had to talk to had certainly been taught the sales pitch - Jodie thought I was exagerating, or at least being a bit over sensitive, when I complained to her how often he used my name.

Sure, we can do that for you Michelle
Just come over here Michelle
And how long have you lived in Rocky Michelle
I've spoken for a few secconds Michelle

But then when I finalised everything up, we could have played bingo with the number of times he said my name. I so much hate being 'sold' things. I'd much rather be spoken to by an earnest staff member who can tell me what I need to know in an intellectual manner. I was going to buy anyway... sheesh!

I did a quick 30 mins on the walking machine - which was pretty cool. Didn't push it too hard though... but everyone forgot to tell me that I'd walk like a drunk after being on there for 30 mins! It's so weird hopping off the machine you feel like you need to cling to something to stay upright!

Well, I go in this morning to meat the trainer and get a program... so wish me luck! Hopefully I won't be too big a sweat puddle by the end of it all!

Better go and get dressed!!!!

Michelle